Here is our detailed broker comparison – a battle between the two most popular FX brokers in the UK – XTB vs EightCap against our stringent criteria to see which is the better CFD broker in the UK.
XTB vs EightCap Comparison
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| EightCap VS XTB | 
First | 
Second | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | ASIC, SCB | FCA, KNF, CySEC | |
| Number of Instruments | 250+ (forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies) | 2100+ (forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, cryptocurrencies) | |
| MT4 | |||
| MT5 | |||
| cTrader | |||
| Proprietary Platform | |||
| TradingView Integration | |||
| Commission (Forex) | $7 per lot (Raw Spread account) | No commission (spread-only model) | |
| Spreads | From 0.0 pips (Razor Account) | From 0.5 pips (spread-only) | |
| Free VPS Access | |||
| Islamic Accounts | |||
| Customer Service | 24/5, multilingual | 24/5, multilingual | |
| Education | Comprehensive | Moderate | |
| Copy Trading | |||
| Deposit Requirements | $100 | None | |
| Join EightCap | Join XTB |
Broker Comparison Criteria Breakdown
1. Trading Instruments
Winner: XTB (for a wider variety of instruments)
XTB: Offers access to over 2,100 financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. This variety makes XTB an ideal choice for traders seeking a broader range of markets to diversify.
EightCap: Provides access to forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and shares. However, its offering is limited to around 250 instruments, which is considerably fewer than XTB.
2. Account Types
Winner: Eightcap (broader selection of accounts)
XTB: Offers one standard account type, which covers both retail and professional traders. It also provides Islamic accounts for Sharia-compliant trading, though it lacks other specialized accounts like raw spread accounts.
EightCap: Offers two primary account types: Standard (with no commission but wider spreads) and Raw Spreadaccounts (with tighter spreads and a commission). Islamic accounts are also available, making it more versatile.
3. Spreads and Commissions
Winner: EightCap (for lower spreads and competitive commissions)
XTB: Operates on a spread-only model for most assets, with spreads starting from 0.1 pips for forex pairs. There are no commissions on most instruments, but the spreads can be higher than brokers with raw accounts.
EightCap: Known for its low raw spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs with a $7 per lot commission on its Raw account. The Standard account has no commission but wider spreads.
4. Platforms
Winner: EightCap / Draw (EightCap on TradingView & XTB on proprietary Platform)
XTB: Uses its proprietary platform, xStation 5, which is well-regarded for its speed, customizability, and powerful charting tools. However, it lacks MetaTrader support, which some traders may prefer.
EightCap: Supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and TradingView although it seems TradingView is the only option in the UK, but regardless, TradingView integration is easy to set-up and user-friendly, offering a more versatile platform suite for traders familiar with these industry-standard platforms.
5. Automated Trading and Copy Trading
Winner: EightCap (better suited to automated trading through TradingView)
XTB: Does not support MetaTrader, but xStation 5 allows limited automation through its built-in trading tools. However, copy trading features are minimal.
EightCap: Fully supports Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4 and MT5, making it ideal for algorithmic traders. It also offers TradingView integration, which supports advanced charting and strategy building.
6. Execution Speed
Winner: EightCap (ECN-like execution model)
XTB: Uses a market maker model, which may result in slightly slower execution speeds compared to ECN brokers.
EightCap: Operates in an ECN-like environment with no-dealing-desk execution, allowing for faster execution, making it suitable for high-frequency traders.
7. Educational Resources
Winner: XTB (better for beginners)
XTB: Provides a well-rounded educational package with its Trading Academy, which includes videos, webinars, and tutorials aimed at traders of all levels.
EightCap: While it offers a range of educational articles and videos, its resources are not as extensive or well-organized as XTB’s, which has a more structured educational program.
8. Customer Support
Winner: Draw (both offer similar customer service).
XTB: Provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email. Customer service is well-rated and responsive.
EightCap: Also offers 24/5 multilingual support, with good responsiveness. Both brokers score highly in terms of customer care.
9. Deposit and Withdrawal
Winner: XTB (no minimum deposit)
XTB: No minimum deposit required vs EightCap’s $100.
EightCap: Requires a minimum deposit of $100, which is more accessible to beginner traders.
10. Regulation
Winner: Draw (both have robust regulation).
XTB: Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA (UK), KNF (Poland), and CySEC (Cyprus), providing solid global oversight.
EightCap: Regulated by ASIC in Australia and the SCB in the Bahamas, offering strong but more regionally focused regulation compared to XTB.
11. VPS Access and Automated Trading
Winner: EightCap (supports VPS for Automation)
XTB: Does not offer VPS access, making it less suitable for traders who rely on automated strategies.
EightCap: Provides VPS access for automated trading, which is essential for traders using Expert Advisors to minimize latency.
Verdict: Which is Better EightCap or XTB?
For traders looking for low spreads, automated trading, and a versatile platform suite including MT4, MT5, and TradingView, and to get up-and-running quickly, EightCap emerges as the clear winner, especially for high-frequency traders and those focused on algorithmic trading.
On the other hand, XTB stands out for its educational resources, proprietary xStation 5 platform, and broader range of financial instruments, making it more suitable for beginner traders or those who prefer manual trading with comprehensive learning support.
If you’re focused on education, manual trading, and regulated global exposure, XTB might be the better choice. If you prioritize raw spreads, fast execution, and automated trading features, EightCap would suit your trading needs better.
James is a former FTSE100 AI Director and trader with 10+ years trading his own capital. He is the Managing Director of SpreadBet.AI and currently trades his own capital through both CFD trading & spread betting as well as working with one of the leading prop firms in the world.
